Dog days return

Sunday

Dec 23, 2012 at 2:05 AM

Dog walking advocates have successfully lobbed the dog ball back into Brewster's court, as the town must now develop a policy that will return canines to the Drummer Boy Park. The only question remaining is whether parties on both sides of the issue see reason this time and look for compromise rather than barking up the wrong tree.

Dog walking advocates have successfully lobbed the dog ball back into Brewster's court, as the town must now develop a policy that will return canines to the Drummer Boy Park. The only question remaining is whether parties on both sides of the issue see reason this time and look for compromise rather than barking up the wrong tree.

The latest chapter in this ongoing dog fight resulted from a lawsuit brought by part-time Brewster resident Jordan Sprechman that challenged the Brewster Heath Department's ban on dogs last March. In essence, Sprechman questioned the board of health's authority on this matter, suggesting that the group overreached its jurisdiction when it issued its decision to ban dogs from the park.

The court agreed with Sprechman's contention, as do we. The board of health seems a curious enforcement agency to deal with dogs. During the hearing, the town's attorney rightly pointed out that violent dogs can be a threat to public health, but so too are drunk drivers, and no one is suggesting that the board of health tackle that particular problem. When it comes to dogs, selectmen, working with an animal control officer in the police department, would seem a more logical choice.

The fact that this is only the latest salvo in a long-running battle indicates the passionate feelings on both sides of the issue. Dog owners and those who use the park recreationally sans canines both have valid points. Dogs cannot simply be allowed to run everywhere throughout a park that is designed for use by the general public. Harrowing stories of children and adults being accosted by unleashed dogs may be limited in number, but there is no questioning the trauma that can be inflicted on a child by an aggressive, or even overly friendly, dog.

A few bad owners, however, should not preclude the rights of the many law-abiding, dog-owning visitors to the park. There are reasonable laws on the books already concerning the appropriateness of dogs in public places: dogs must be leashed at all times or respond to voice commands. Owners who do not follow these rules should be punished with the stiffest possible fines and penalties as a reminder that such behavior will not be tolerated.

It is worth noting that the Brewster Board of Selectmen voted the night before the board of health's March 20 decision to continue to allow leashed dogs at Drummer Boy Park, but to limit the canine hours to before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. The board of health decision effectively nullified the selectmen's actions.

Moving forward, we urge the town to not pursue an appeal of the court decision. The most reasonable approach would be for the board of health to step back from this issue altogether and allow the board of selectmen's March 19 order to hold sway. Police should periodically monitor the park to ensure that all local ordinances are being followed, regardless of whether it is before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.

Dog owners should also learn to police themselves, reminding those who would otherwise ruin it for everyone that the right to be allowed into a public place carries with it the responsibility to behave in an appropriate manner.

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